Rafael Leão wears Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic No. 7 as Portugal faces a new era

Rafael Leão made his international debut wearing Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic No. 7 shirt for Portugal in their match against Denmark on October 1. The switch was due to UEFA’s 2026/27 Nations League regulations, which require each association to submit a list of 23 players for every league-phase match and assign shirt numbers from 1 through 23.

Leão, who has previously worn No. 17, now wears the famous shirt, while Fábio Silva takes Ronaldo’s old number. Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp on September 30, citing his desire to focus on his club career at Galatasaray. The move has drawn attention due to the significance of the No. 7 shirt, which carries a rich history and is closely associated with Ronaldo’s legacy.

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